Minerals

Minerals are naturally occurring, typically crystalline, chemical compounds. Minerals differ from rocks and fossils because of their individual and specific chemical compositions (versus being a combination of many, as rocks are) and their exclusion from being produced from life processes. There are more than 5,500 known mineral species of which the large majority are recognized by the International Mineralogical Association (IMA). Approximately 90% of the Earth's crust is comprised of silicate materials, giving many minerals the base unit [SiO4]4− and some variation of a tetrahedral crystal formation.

All mineral specimens are photographed in-house to display their natural beauty. Other than background enhancement or removing dust, we do not alter the photos. Please contact us for any questions you might have, or simply give us a call at (847) 866-7374.

All photography is the sole property of James Alan Ali, an affiliate of Ali Photography & Dave’s Down to Earth Rock Shop. Any reproduction of said photography is strictly prohibited without the express written consent of James Alan Ali.